AoPS Academy Short Story Contest
Learn more about our annual AoPS Academy Short Story Contest and read the stories from our Student Authors.
About Language Arts
At AoPS Academy, we help young learners grow as confident creative thinkers. Our Language Arts courses train the intellectual leaders of the next generation by fostering creative problem solving. Read more S
2024 Lower Division Winners (Grades 5 and below)
Prompt: Write a story about a child who finds a time capsule in their backyard. The story must end on a cliffhanger.
Leah G.
Bellevue
The Undersea Adventure
Eva T.
Fremont
Time Capsule of Our Great Grandfather
Vishank K.
Frisco
The End of Time vs. Brady
Eva Q.
Gaithersburg
The City Of Hydra
Elizabeth K.
Irvine
Reality Spills Over
Yiman D.
Lexington
Venom of Love
Molly Z.
Morrisville
Minefield
Sophia V.
Pleasanton
The World Beyond the Fence
Hugo M.
Princeton
Leo and the Time Capsule
Julia C.
San Diego
The Betrayal
Mohana A.
Santa Clara
The Pit of Darkness
Aliyan D.
Vienna
The Time Adventure
2024 Upper Division Winners (Grades 6 and above)
Prompt: Write a story centered around a group of students experiencing a cutting-edge earpiece for the first time, a device capable of teaching them any subject. The narrative should be structured around a central theme.
Karys F.
Bellevue
Unlocking The World Through Listening
Sophia T.
Fremont
The Ring of Music
Anubhav M.
Frisco
The Echoes of True Wisdom
Rosha M.
Gaithersburg
Cluttered
Lauren B.
Irvine
A Miracle of a Lifetime
Sarah G.
Lexington
Harmony In Knowledge
Riya Aila A.
Morrisville
The Fall of Osiris: A Crow's Tale
Leroy Q.
Pleasanton
Constant Vigilance
Adrija A.
Princeton
The Casualties of Knowledge
Anisha M.
San Diego
A Passion's Power
Jasmine G.
Santa Clara
She Did Not Feel the Sorrow
Coralie F.
Vienna
Greed's Temptation: The Earpiece's Price
2023 Lower Division Winners (Grades 5 and below)
Annette K.
Bellevue
Pieces of Life
Ansh K.
Fremont
Through the Endless Forest!
Veeksha C.
Frisco
Wish Of A Child
Aashvi B.
Gaithersburg
The Legend of the Mystery Locket.
Emerson L.
Irvine
Catastrophe
Srujana R.
Lexington
Painting Portals
Molly Z.
Morrisville
The Feather of Friendship
Shreya S.
Pleasanton
The Magical Notebook
Emma L.
Princeton
A Life Without Books
Claire P.
San Diego
Out of the Spotlight, Into Our Hearts
Zoey M.
Santa Clara
The Runaway Dragonets
Kaynisha K.
Vienna
Three Wishes
2023 Upper Division Winners (Grades 6 and above)
Annapoorani L.
Bellevue
Flawed
Samhita M.
Fremont
Hidden Gems
Sruthi K.
Frisco
The Unveiling of My Origin
Isha B.
Gaithersburg
From These Ashes, A Queen Is Born
Madeleine L.
Irvine
Unexpected
Aaron K.
Lexington
The Case of the Bloody Dinghy: A Detective's Tale
Siddhi R.
Morrisville
Lost and Found!
Riddhiman R.
Pleasanton
The Battle of Kyorokana
Aarna M.
Princeton
Déjà Vu
Addison B.
San Diego
Where Dreams are Born
Shriya J.
Santa Clara
A Bond Beyond Time
Ivy Z.
Vienna
Mystery of The Blood Jewel
2022 Lower Division Winners (Grades 5 and below)
Prompt: Write a story where a good piece of advice saves the day.
Braeden W.
Bellevue
Doors
Aadish S.
Frisco
An Emperor in the Hands of an Adolescent
Evelyn S.
Gaithersburg
The Writer’s Block
Ryan L.
Lexington
Write Injuries in Dust, Benefits in Marble
Siddhi R.
Morrisville
One Lie Leads to Another
Aadhavan S.
Pleasanton
The Awesome, Amazing Adventures of Young Albert Einstein!
Shirley X.
Princeton
The Love Within
Savannah W.
San Diego
A Leather-Backed Book
Aanya S.
Vienna
Different
2022 Upper Division Winners (Grades 6 and above)
Prompt: Write a story about an unexpected friendship.
Isabelle L.
Bellevue
Beyond the Storm
Rishit A.
Frisco
The Poster
Ahalya S.
Gaithersburg
Undying
Anoushka N.
Lexington
The Girl in the Gray Area
Shivaani S.
Morrisville
Of Violets Swept Away
Siya G.
Pleasanton
Meaningful, the Movie
Ananya K.
Princeton
Blood and Pomegranate Juice
Jenna H.
San Diego
Befriending the Ending
Kurn S.
Santa Clara
To Share the Light
Samantha K.
Vienna
Through the Mirror
2021 Lower Division Winners (Grades 5 and below)
Prompt: Write a story about a once-in-a-lifetime discovery.
Eileen M.
Bellevue
A Little Red Riding Hood Story
Malinda Z.
Gaithersburg
The Lost Finder
Adrian C.
Lexington
Opening My Eyes
Srinika S.
Morrisville
The Train of Giving
Charumathi V.
Pleasanton
Legend of Eyelash
Aarav P.
Princeton
The Forgotten Land
Elaine W.
San Diego
Watch of Time
Lexine S.
Santa Clara
The Hedgehog's Problem
Summer H.
Vienna
Alpha of the Pack
Other Grand-Prize Winners: Aryan Padarthi - Frisco
2021 Upper Division Winners (Grades 6 and above)
Prompt: Write a story about someone who persuades an enemy.
Winter C.
Bellevue
The Act of Letting Go
Rishya V.
Frisco
Dimensions Apart
Joy J.
Gaithersburg
To Bargain with Death
Alma B.
Lexington
The Perfect Birthday
Sarah H.
Morrisville
The Broken Chain
Aaron Z.
Pleasanton
A Day in the Life of Mr. Fluffikins
Rishaan N.
Princeton
Black Swans
Gary L.
San Diego
The Assassin
Samhita L.
Santa Clara
A Song of Trees and Whispering Leaves
Victoria Z.
Vienna
Walk with Me through a Street of the Past
"A writer is a person who cares what words mean, what they say, how they say it."
Ursula Le Guin
